Designation means packing material company will get Empire Zone benefits

Cellect LLC a company that makes polyolefun bun foams for industrial and consumer markets in St. Johnsville has been designated as a regionally significant project under the Empire Zone program.

This designation means the 99-employee company is eligible for Empire Zone tax and utility benefits, despite being located outside the zone.

The company plans to invest $2.6 million in its location and add 65 jobs over the next three years.

"Our designation as a Regionally Significant Project is a crucial component of our long-term plan to grow our company," Scott Smith, president of Cellect, said in a written statement. "Through collaboration with the Montgomery County IDA and the Amsterdam-Florida-Glen Empire Zone, we're well positioned to achieve our long-term goals."

The Empire Zones Program is a New York state program that offers incentives, including tax credits and utility rate reductions, to boost economies and promote economic development. A Regionally Significant Manufacturing Project is defined as having substantial capital investment that creates 50 quality jobs and facilitates exporting a substantial amount of goods or services beyond the region of operation.

Cellect was established in February 2001. The polyolefun bun foams are used in medical and health care, gaskets and seals, automotive and transportation, building and construction, toys and military and electronics packaging.